Lowcountry Headlines

Chadwell, Bucs sign 26 for 2014 football season

February 5th, 2014 - Charleston Southern has signed 26 student-athletes – 14 from South Carolina – as part of National Signing Day 2014, CSU head coach Jamey Chadwell announced on Wednesday afternoon.

The class is the second for Chadwell at CSU. He took the reins of the CSU program in mid-January of 2013 and led the Bucs to a school-record 10 wins and a No. 12 national ranking during his first season. This season was the first time he and his staff had a whole year to try to leave their footprint on the recruiting trail, and he feels they did just that.

"A lot of people think all the work for the recruiting is done just during the recruiting period from the middle of December until the end of January, but it actually goes on for almost a year," Chadwell said at Wednesday's recruiting luncheon. "From the time we got done with last year's signing class and figured out everything that was going on we made it our priority to make sure that this class was the foundation of our football program going forward. You've got to want to be at Charleston Southern and see the value of what we have to offer. These guys want (to be here). They saw what we are doing and where we are going."

The Buccaneers' class is heavy on local and in-state talent with more than half of the class coming from South Carolina. The entire class is from the southeast, with six signees from Florida, four from Georgia, and two from North Carolina.

"We made (recruiting in state) our priority," Chadwell said. "We wanted to take care of our home state and our borders first; try to get the best fits for us [in state] and then move outside of South Carolina."

In the Bucs' class, 18 of the 26 signees are on the defensive side of the ball.

"We made an emphasis on this class to really heavily go on the defensive side of the ball for some needs on that end of the field," Chadwell added. "We have some key guys to replace and need to fill some holes, especially at linebacker, and I think we've done that with this group."

Charleston Southern will begin spring practice in early March and will hold its Blue and Gold spring game on April 10 under the new lights at Buccaneer Field.

2014 Charleston Southern Football Signees

Name

Pos.

Ht.

Wt.

Hometown/High School

Davion Anderson

DB

6-1

200

Macon, Ga./Northeast

D'Andre Belton

QB

5-11

185

Winnsboro, S.C./Fairfield Central

Marshall Barnette

OL

6-3

270

Fayetteville, N.C./Jack Britt

Gage Bostwick

OL

6-2

270

Altamonte Springs, Fla./Lake Brantley

Solomon Brown

LB

6-1

200

Central, S.C./Daniel

Ramel Crawford

DL

6-0

255

Atlanta, Ga./Tucker

Zane Cruz

LB

6-2

205

Jacksonville, Fla./Yulee

Tyrell Dukes

CB

5-10

180

Murrells Inlet, S.C./St. James

Anthony Ellis

DL

6-1

245

Apopka, Fla./Apopka

Tyrell Fleming

LB

6-2

230

Central, S.C./Daniel

Keegan Karim

DB

6-2

180

Kennesaw, Ga./Harrison

David Kennedy

K

5-11

185

Summerville, S.C./Summerville

Noah Oliver

DL

6-3

255

Altamonte Springs, Fla./Lake Brantley

JaJuan Perkins

DB

5-10

180

Quincy, Fla./East Gadsen

Bobby Ruff

LB

6-2

195

West Ashley, S.C./West Ashley

Nick Sands

LB

6-1

235

Taylors, S.C./Eastside

D.J. Shamlee

DB

6-2

170

Columbia, S.C./Ridgeview

Davontae Shepherd

RB

6-0

185

Cross, S.C./Cross

Michael Simmons

LB

5-9

185

Goose Creek, S.C./Stratford

Jonathan Slaton

DB

5-10

180

Lithonia, Ga./Arabia Mountain

Kellen Snider

LB

6-1

220

Fort White, Fla./Fort White

Kewaun Squirewell

WR

5-10

175

Ridgeway, S.C./Fairfield Central

Mike Taylor

DL

6-3

235

Fairfax, S.C./Allendale Fairfax

Nick Tononi

OL

5-11

260

North Charleston, S.C./Fort Dorchester

Quan White

DB

6-1

195

Greenville, S.C./Christ Church

Patrick Woods

K/P

5-11

200

Fayetteville, N.C./Pine Forest

2014 CHARLESTON SOUTHERN FOOTBALL SIGNEES

Davion Anderson – DB - Macon, Ga./Northeast

A two-time All-State and All-Region honoree Northeast Magnet High School in Macon, Ga. as a safety…He finished his senior season with 50 tackles and three interceptions, returning two for touchdowns…He completed his career with 14 career interceptions, earning Best Defensive Back and team MVP honors from Northeast in his junior and senior seasons…In addition to football, Anderson lined up on the baseball and track teams.

D'Andre Belton - QB - Ridgeway, S.C./Fairfield Central

Named the 2013 AA Offensive Player of the Year, Belton was a two-time All-Region and All-State honoree at quarterback at Fairfield Central High School in Ridgeway, S.C…He went 23-4 as a two-year starter accumulating 5,154 total yards from scrimmage and 54 touchdowns during his career…He finished his senior season with 1,764 passing yards and 748 rushing yards with 24 total touchdowns...High school teammate of fellow-signee Kewaun Squirewell.

Gage Bostwick - OL - Altamonte Spring, Fla./Lake Brantley

A two-time first team all-district selection at Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs, Fla…Was named a second team all-state selection as a senior, in addition to first team all-district and second team all-conference…Was his team's MVP and offensive linemen of the year for his junior and senior campaigns…Played in the Central Florida All-State Game following his senior season and was named to Orlando Sentinel Super 60…Also competed in weightlifting at Lake Brantley, earned three letters and finished ninth in the state championships as a junior.

Solomon Brown - LB – Central, S.C./Daniel

A two-time All-Region selection at D.W. Daniel High School in Clemson, S.C…Helped his team to the Upper State Championship and AAA State Championship game…Recorded 130 tackles as a senior…High school teammate of fellow-signee Tyrell Fleming…Was a three-sport athlete in high school, helping Daniel to a runner-up finish in the upstate…Also excelled in track by running a 14.05 in the 110-meter hurdles…Ray, his father, played college football at Clemson from 1979-1983.

Ramel Crawford – DL - Atlanta, Ga./Tucker

Played defensive tackle and earned a spot in the Georgia vs. Florida All-Star game following a standout senior season at Tucker High School in DeKalb County, Ga…Was named a DeKalb County All-Star and was rookie of the year on the varsity team as a sophomore…Originally from Baltimore, Md., he was also a member of the wrestling team at Tucker and placed fifth in the varsity county tournament.

Zane Cruz - LB - Jacksonville, Fla./Yulee

Was named to 2013 All-First Coat Team and All-Northeast Florida Regional Elite Team following his senior year at Yulee High School in Yulee, Fla…Linebacker also earned all-state honorable mention accolades and all-district honors…Recorded 77 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries as a senior

Anthony Ellis - DL - Apopka, Fla./Apopka

Named the No. 15 prospect in the Orlando Super 60 and First Team All-Central Florida as a senior at Apopka High School in Apopka, Fla…Had 14 tackles for loss to go with 73 tackles (54 solo)as a senior…Also had five sacks and four fumble recoveries…Member of his high school's weightlifting team.

Tyrell Fleming – LB - Central, S.C./Daniel

A three-time first team All-Region selection as well as a North-South All-Star Game participant following his senior season at D.W. Daniel High School in Clemson, S.C…Was named first team All-Area as a senior…Helped his team to the Upper State Championship and AAA State Championship game…High school teammate of fellow-signee Solomon Brown…Had 20 QB hurries, 10 TFLs, and 83 tackles as a senior…Was also a two-time state qualifier in track in the discus and shot put.

Keegan Karim – CB - Kennesaw, Ga./Harrison

Named All-Region 4-AAAAAA and all-county following his senior year as a cornerback at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Ga…Was a three-year starter at Harrison and performed well in the classroom, compiling a 3.66 GPA.

David Kennedy - K - Summerville, S.C./Summerville

Voted his team's MVP and was named First Team All-Lowcountry following his senior season at Summervillle High School…Was 15-of-19 on field goals with a long of 45 as a senior…Made the game winner in the state playoff against Boiling Springs…Averaged 39.8 yards per punt with a long of 62 yards…Had 12 punts downed inside the 20-yard line.

Noah Oliver – DL - Altamonte Spring, Fla./Lake Brantley

Earned a second team all-state selection as a senior at Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs, Fla…Also garnered first-team all-conference and all-district honors as a senior…Named to Orland Sentinel Super 60 (#35) and was selected second team all-state by the publication…As a junior, he earned second team all-conference and all-district accolades and was Lake Brantley's defensive lineman of the year…Tallied 78 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, ten sacks and recovered two fumbles as a senior at Lake Brantley…As a junior, he recorded 54 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks…Also competed in weightlifting for three years and basketball for one while at Lake Brantley.

JaJuan Perkins – CB - Quincy, Fla./East Gadsen

Named to all-state second team, as well as all-county and All-Big Bend following his senior year at East Gadsden High School in Quincy, Fla…Also competed in track and field and basketball at East Gadsden…Cousin, Willie Simmons, played football at Clemson from 1999-2002.

Bobby Ruff - LB - West Ashley, S.C./West Ashley

A three-year starter at West Ashley High School in the Charleston area…He earned All-Region, All-Lowcountry and All-State honors before being named captain of the South team in the annual South Carolina North/South Game…He led the team in tackles and sacks in his senior season, in addition to adding two interceptions…He broke the school record for sacks in a game, a season, and a career at WAHS.

Nick Sands - LB - Taylors, S.C.

Named an all-region selection in 2012, 2013 and 2014 as a linebacker at Eastside High School in Greenville, S.C…Was named Greenville News Player of the Week during the 2012 season.

D.J. Shamlee – DB - Columbia, S.C./Ridgeview

Named a North-South All-Star following his senior season at Ridge View High School in Columbia…Was named first team All-Region and was ranked the No. 7 defensive back in the state by S.C. Varsity…Earned South Carolina Player of the Week honors in Week 7 of his senior season…Had nine career interceptions to go with 146 career tackles and three TDs.

Davontae Shepherd – RB - Cross, S.C./Cross

A two-way player at Cross High School in Cross, S.C…Rushed for 1,392 yards and 16 touchdowns as a seniors…Led his team to the 2012 state championship…Had 50 tackles and three fumble recoveries defensively during his senior season…Ranked No. 2 in his high school class…Played for former Buccaneer Sean Wright at Cross.

Jonathan Slaton – DB - Lithonia, Ga./Arabia Mountain

A two-time All-Region selection as a standout wide receiver and defensive back at Arabia Mountain High School in Lithonia, Ga…The All-Dekalb County selection had 40 tackles and two interceptions as a senior…Also had 87 catches for 1,443 yards and 17 TDs in his career at wide out…Also ran track and was a part of the school's 4x100 meter relay team and ran a 10.7 in the 100 meters.

Kellen Snider – LB - Fort White, Fla./Fort White

Was named a Florida Sportswriters First Team All-State member following his senior year at Fort White High School in Fort White, Fla…Named second team all-state by the Florida Sportswriters following his junior year…Garnered accolades as a First Team Gainesville Sun All-Area pick in 2011, 2012 and 2013…Selected to 2013 FACA All-State Team…Completed an illustrious career at Fort White High School with 477 tackles, including 267 solo stops…Posted 130 tackles as a senior to follow up on a junior campaign in which he had 179 tackles.

Kewaun Squirewell – WR – Ridgeway, S.C./Fairfield Central

Led Fairfield Central High School in receiving yards and touchdowns in his final three high school seasons…Had 30 catches for 556 yards and four TDs as a senior, following up a strong junior year in which he had 23 receptions for 554 yards and six touchdowns.

Mike Taylor – DL - Fairfax, S.C./Allendale Fairfax

Earned AA All-State and All-Region Defensive Player of the Year honors after finishing with 55 tackles from his defensive end spot at Allendale Fairfax High School in Allendale, S.C…He had 15 tackles for loss and added 10 sacks in his senior season...He also participated on the Allendale Basketball and Track teams and earned recognition in the classroom by being selected to the honor roll.

Nick Tononi – OL - North Charleston, S.C./Fort Dorchester

Named All-Dorchester County and second team All-Region following his senior season at Fort Dorchester High School in the Charleston area…Named FDHS Lineman of the Year in 2012 and 2013…Graded out at over 90 percent in every game as a senior and had 50 pancake blocks…Also a member of the National Honor Society.

Quan White – DB - Greenville, S.C./Christ Church

Starred as a running back and safety at Christ Church High School in Greenville, South Carolina and played on three-state championship teams as a four-year starter…Was a key member of teams that combined to go 53-2 in four years, and served as team captain as a senior…Finished career as Christ Church's all-time leader in yards…Twice garnered all-state accolades, and three times was named all-region and all-county…Named region player of the year following his senior season and played in the North/South All-Star Game.

Patrick Woods - K/P - Fayetteville, N.C./Pine Forest

Holds the NCHSAA record with 32 career field goals…Named a Ray Guy All-American as a placekicker and kickoff specialist…A two-time first team All-Region selection and a three-time first team all-conference selection at Pine Forest High School in Fayetteville, N.C…Recorded 190 career points, 63 touchbacks, and 94 PATs in his high school career…Averaged 34.1 yards per punt.